Introduction: What reviews are prioritised may be influenced by a number of factors, such as: a) who makes the decisions and their terms of reference; b) their methods of working to reach decisions together; c) what information is available to them and how it is gathered; d) what criteria they choose to formally prioritise research; e) the funding available both for the research, and for the prioritisation process. These influences are explored by drawing largely on the work and reflections of various Advisory Groups setting the agenda for the NHS Research and Development Programme, and a recent pilot study which introduced and supported consumers in active roles within the NHS Health Technology Assessment Programme.